David Augusto/KTVB

Former Boise State golfer Troy Merritt turned professional in May 2008.

Boise State’s Troy Merritt is one of 20 honorees to make the inaugural All-Nicklaus Team as announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Players from Division I, II, III and the NAIA were recognized for their outstanding play during the 2007-08 collegiate season.

The All-Nicklaus Team was created this year, and is not only named for history’s greatest player but also a long-time supporter of collegiate and amateur golf. Nicklaus, a Big Ten and NCAA Champion at The Ohio State University, helped inspire and create the Jack Nicklaus Award in 1988. The Nicklaus Award is annually given to the top collegiate men’s golfer in Division I, II, III and the NAIA.

The team is highlighted by Nicklaus Award recipients Kevin Chappell of UCLA, Point Loma Nazarene’s Sam Cyr, Scott Harris Jr. of St. John Fisher and Sonoma State’s Jarin Todd. The balance of the All-Nicklaus team is comprised of Jonas Blixt of Florida State, Oklahoma Christian’s Bruno Buccolo, Jorge Campillo of Indiana, Oklahoma State’s Rickie Fowler, Rory Hie and Jamie Lovemark of Southern California, Washington & Lee’s Nathaniel James, Sihwan Kim of Stanford, Boise State’s Troy Merritt, Cory Renfrew of British Columbia, Joe Schoolmeesters of Saint John’s (Minn.), Wake Forest’s Webb Simpson, Joel Sjoholm of Georgia State, Alabama’s Michael Thompson, Brent Witcher of Valdosta State and Armstrong Atlantic State’s Chris Wolfe.

Previously, Chappell, Cyr, Harris and Todd were recognized by Mr. Nicklaus at the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, just outside of Nicklaus’ hometown of Columbus.

2008 All-Nicklaus Team

Jonas Blixt, Florida State

Bruno Buccolo, Oklahoma Christian

Jorge Campillo, Indiana

Kevin Chappell, UCLA

Sam Cyr, Point Loma Nazarene

Rickie Fowler, Oklahoma State

Scott Harris Jr., St. John Fisher

Rory Hie, Southern California

Nathaniel James, Washington & Lee

Sihwan Kim, Stanford

Jamie Lovemark, Southern California

Troy Merritt, Boise State

Cory Renfrew, British Columbia

Joe Schoolmeesters, Saint John¹s (Minn.)

Webb Simpson, Wake Forest

Joel Sjoholm, Georgia State

Michael Thompson, Alabama

Jarin Todd, Sonoma State

Brent Witcher, Valdosta State

Chris Wolfe, Armstrong Atlantic State